Dillo Details

This week there are several important dates to take note of:

• TOMORROW (1/25) is the PTA meeting at 7:45am. We’ll be electing the nomination committee.  Housekeeping note: this one will be held in the Cafe (to the right of the office).
• TOMORROW & FRIDAY (1/25 & 1/26) help decorate the library for Book Fair. It’s just around the corner and we need all the help we can get! Bring a friend and have even more fun! We also need cashiers for the fair and during family night. SIGN UP HERE to volunteer. Don’t forget that you can also purchase a Gift Card at literati.com for your child.  The volunteers running the Book Fair will have access to all the Gift Cards codes. 
• FRIDAY (1/26) is Book Character Dress Up Day. The Hill SEL-ebration Leadership Team invites you to dress up as your FAVORITE BOOK CHARACTER. Dressing up is optional.  No scary characters or masks please. 

Dear Hill Community,

Book Character Dress-Up Day is this Friday (1/26)! We invite all of our students to come to school dressed as their favorite character for this fun day that kicks off our Hill Book Fair. Please note that students should not wear masks to school as part of their costumes. The Hill Book Fair begins Monday, January 29th! Check out the Dillo Details for all you need to know.

This week, we recognize Holocaust Remembrance Week in Austin ISD. During this week, our 5th grade students will be participating in a book study of Hold on to Your Music as part of their learning in language arts classes. We will also recognize the significance of the week at one of our morning assemblies with a message of the importance of acceptance, tolerance, and community. Hill continues to be a No Place for Hate school, and we value our diverse school community.

AISD Student Device Feedback Survey: AISD Technology remains committed to providing students the devices they need to fully participate in blended learning environments. Device distribution, however, can be costly. Our warranties do not cover loss or intentional damage, an increasing issue the district is experiencing. It’s essential that we minimize costs associated with device loss and damage. This ensures the sustainability of the bond-funded program. We have reviewed our internal student device loss and damage incident data and now need feedback from staff and families to inform our next steps. The Everyone:1 Student Device Feedback Survey begins January 11, 2024, and is open to faculty, staff, and AISD families. At this time, the survey is not intended to be shared with students.

Nominate a Hill Staff Member for the AISD Salute: Salute is AISD’s annual celebration to recognize some of the district’s outstanding team members for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement in our schools. District employees, students, families, and the community are invited to submit a nomination for staff members they believe represent the very best of AISD in the following categories:

• Campus Clerical/Office Staff of the Year
• Teaching Assistant of the Year
• Custodian of the Year
• Bus Driver of the Year
• Food Service Staff of the Year
• Campus Safety & Security Staff of the Year
• Librarian of the Year
• Counselor of the Year
• Assistant Principal of the Year
• Principal of the Year

Austin ISD Equity Assessment Focus Group Opportunity: AISD is working with a research company called WestEd to lead a districtwide equity assessment to see what we are doing well and what we need to change as a district. We want to hear from students and parents to learn more about your experiences in AISD and how our policies and practices impact you. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts, please register for a focus group. Complete this interest form and if you are selected, you will get a $50 gift card for participating!  You can click here for more information and a QR Code as well.

Traffic Reminder: Thank you all who park and walk up to school on Tallwood for not moving and adjusting neighbors trash cans on trash days (Thursdays). We know it makes parking a bit more restricted but when items are moved, neighbors are not getting their trash picked up which is not okay. Thank you for your support and understanding to help these folks who are very understanding of us during those two busy times each day! Leave trash cans where you find them.

The Hill Elementary Alumni Scholarship was established in 2011 to honor Hill’s 40th anniversary. It is now called The Suzanne and Vincent Torres Hill Elementary Alumni Scholarship in honor of Mr. Torres and his wife, and their dedication to our school and the district. The goal is to recognize former students who have excelled in their academic endeavors, supported their community through service projects, and proven they possess a drive to further their education. By granting this scholarship, we encourage students to continue their academic endeavors beyond high school and hope to strengthen the relationship between Hill and its alumni. This year, one scholarship in the amount of $1000 will be awarded. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 12th. You can click here for the application that includes the selection criteria.

Lastly, congratulations to this year’s Hill Yearbook Cover Art Contest winner Gemma Glover. You can check out her art here that will be on the front of this year’s yearbook. Have a great week!

Principal Drummond

This Thursday, Jan. 25th, we will be electing the 2024-25 nominating committee.  Serving on the committee usually consists of one or two in-person meetings with continued discussion via email.  We would love to have members representing our various communities.  If you are interested in helping determine the slate for the next PTA Executive Board or would like additional information, please email Margarita Bagwell at presidentelect@hillelementary.com.

Our January No Place for Hate Dress Up Day is here!  The Hill SEL-ebration Leadership Team invites you to dress up as your FAVORITE BOOK CHARACTER on January 26.  Dressing up is optional.  No scary characters please.

Hill’s Literati Book Fair is just around the corner and we need all the help we can get!  Come by during school hours on January 25th and January 26th to help decorate the library and set up the fair.  Bring a friend and have even more fun!  During Book Fair Week, January 29 through February 2nd, we need cashiers to help each day throughout the week and on Thursday evening.  Sign up here to volunteer!

Teacher wish lists will be in labeled boxes at the fair.  Everyone from our fabulous Reading Specialists to our amazing Essential Area teachers can pick out items they’d love to have so feel free to spread the love.

Save the date for Family Night on Thursday, February 2nd from 5-8pm.  This is always a fun outing for families and will be a great chance to shop at the fair.  We will have food available for purchase from Stony’s Pizza and DonutNV.

Finally, E-Wallet is back but a bit different.  Simply purchase a Gift Card here.  The volunteers running the Book Fair will have access to all the Gift Cards codes.  This allows your student to shop the fair without keeping track of cash.  At the end of the fair, if you have unused funds, simply contact Literati for a refund.

Erica Martindale is here to answer all of your questions about Book Fair, and you can reach out to her at bookfair@hillelementary.com.

Is your New Resolution to give back to your community by volunteering? We can help you check that off your list!

The 2nd semester is roaring ahead and Hill could use some help from our dedicated parents and caregivers. Varying levels of commitment — we got you. A time that suits you best in a way that works for you — look no further. Here’s your personalized guide to choose the right opportunity?

1. Do you like to bake? Hospitality!
2. Do you love the power of a good story? Book fair!
3. Is your lunch hour in need of a change of scenery? Lunch room!
4. Maybe you have a few minutes before you head to work? Caring and Sharing!
5. No time, but you work at or own an awesome business? Become a Hoopla Sponsor!

Thank you for donating your time! Hill wouldn’t be the same without your assistance!

We have a new after school PE club called P.E.X on campus with Coach Shaw and Coach Liz. Students will play fun PE games just like the summer camp. The club meets on Mondays until 4 pm and is available to 1st-5th grade students. Activities include: The Floor is Lava!, kickball, basketball, battleship, soccer, scooters, Guard the Pins, and more!

• Session 1: Jan. 22-March 18
• Session 2:  April 1-May 13

Please see the information flyer link and registration link below.  Spots are limited. Please reach out to Coach Shaw for questions.

Flyer link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RXPJHKdhrc6-JGNF6VJX-8jyFRG0szbmjBtOk5GAOW8/edit?usp=sharing

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_qmmILco9peLZ4MU–UVGki9kca8ukByRP6H7bq01t1K31g/viewform

• Monday, January 22 at 10:15 am
• Tuesday, February 20 at 10:15 am
• Wednesday, March 20 at 10:15 am
• Thursday, April 18 at 10:15 am
• Friday, May 17 at 10:15 am

This season, Young Rembrandts artists are in for a treat with a lineup of all-new drawing lessons. From a powerful unicorn to speedy soccer players, along with fascinating art history, there is so much to learn and love. We prioritize proper technique and excellent color selection in every lesson. Later in the session, we switch
gears to cartooning. Your funny bone will be tickled by the humorous personas and action-filled scenes created by your artists. Enroll today! Classes are Thursdays at 3:20 – 4:20 for students in 1st-5th grades.

• Session 1 2/1-4/11 (No class 3/14)
• Session 2: 4/18-5/16

IMPORTANT: Young Rembrandts classes are highly structured classes requiring a great deal of focus. Please consider this learning environment when determining whether to enroll your child.

Live from AISD our Dillo on the scene brings you breaking news. Hill and AISD is operating on a two-hour delay again tomorrow (1/17). Assembly will begin tomorrow at 9:30 am. School begins at 9:40 am. No changes for dismissal. Thank you!